The Research Paper

In writing, we ask questions like, “What is your purpose” or “What it your intent”.

Does that refer to your paper or you?

It can be confusing and doesn’t really answer the question presented.

WHAT IS YOUR MISSION? This asks a more concrete question

that you can answer and use as a springboard for prewriting and drafting.

It gives you a chance to define the topic you are writing about and what information you will use to support the topic.

Ask and Answer What is the main idea? What do you want the reader to learn?

To know? To think? What is the problem? Is there a solution?

What is the solution? Why will the solution work?

Ask and Answer What is needed for the mission? Is there information that needs to be

given prior to giving the solution? Are there words or jargon to define so

the reader understands your position?

This is not your “normal” English paper. I want you to think out of the box. I want you to step outside ENGLISH class and think in terms of Criminal Justice. Then, we will take those Criminal Justice ideas and convey them in an effective paper.

WHAT?! Yes, I want you to think like a police officer, a probation agent, a corrections agent, a DEA, FBI or CIA agent. I want your Criminal Justice brain going – digging for information and presenting that information.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. Let’s take a broad topic – Forensic

Psychology. The first thought is that the paper is like

a report – just give an overview of the topic.

NO! Don’t do that Instead, begin asking your mission

questions.

What is the main idea? Forensic Psychology. Specifically

the FBI Behavioral Science Unit. Why was it established? What is its mission and focus? How does it help local agencies? Does it solve crimes? What tools can be learned from its process?

 

What do you want the reader to learn? To know? To think? The process of using the Behavioral

Science Unit, tools they give local agencies, how their processes can solve crime, how to become part of the Behavioral Science Unit.

Are you intrigued by the popular image that books, TV Shows and movies portray?

Does Alex Cross’ ability to solve a crime through psychology draw you to wanting to know more about Forensic Psychology?

Is the team on Criminal Minds what has given you all your ideas about Forensic Psychology?

Do the books that have been written about Bundy, Gacy, Dahmer, et al intrigue you and make you want to learn more about the criminal mind?

Now is where you jump Choose an aspect of Forensic

Psychology. Let’s say that serial killers fascinate you. What type of serial killers? What era? Solved or unsolved crimes?

This is where you start generating ideas to start researching and organizing your paper.

TOPIC: Forensic Psychology BACKGROUND: definition, FBI’s Behavioral

Science Unit, types of crimes, types of perpetrators, serial killers,

FOCUS – types of serial killers – sexual predators, angels of death, partners, historical, unsolved, etc (choose a focus) – which one is drawing you in?

EXAMPLES – what are three examples? Cases, perpetrator, signature, etc. What is your organizing principle for the focus? VICAP?

PERSUASION – the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit gives what tools for helping to solve cases. How or why are these tools effective? Refer back to your examples.

Let’s say you focused on Signatures of Sexual Sadists. What are the signatures most used? Why? How did the FBI categorize these

crimes? Remember, here, you are taking the

cases, the signatures, and the tools the Behavioral Science Unit uses.

Now, for the key to persuasion SO

WHAT?

Why is this important?

Does it impact how police solve crimes?

Does it impact crime trends?

Does it impact sentencing?

WHY is this information important?

So far, you are idea generating. This is where you want to be.

As you generate ideas, you will start to see pockets of information form.

Those can turn into organization strategies (paragraphs).

AUDIENCE – Instead of thinking that you are writing to an English instructor that will sentence you to ten years for comma massacre, I want you to see your audience as someone in the Criminal Justice field who is open to hearing new ideas.

Remember, your MISSION is to choose a aspect of the topic that is meaningful to you.

Ask yourself SO WHAT about the topic. Begin to think about the basic

information your reader needs to know about the topic.

Then, start to look at examples and descriptions that enhance, explain and support your ideas.